Ridley Park church's annual pumpkin sale supports food pantry, families in need

With Halloween two days away, thousands of pumpkins are on display outside Christ Church Ridley Park in Delaware County. The church's annual pumpkin sale is a 26-year tradition that raises money for four charitable causes.Proceeds benefit the food pantry at Ridley Park United Methodist Church, the Ridley School District, the Kara Barnard Youth Literacy Fund and the Navajo Nation in New Mexico, where the pumpkins are grown.The Rev. Michael Ruk, a priest at Christ Church, said the sale is one way the church connects with people beyond its congregation."The church's purpose is to go outside of its walls," Ruk said, "and this is a simple way of people coming to us, building community and sharing what we have."The food pantry at Ridley Park United Methodist Church serves up to 220 families a month. The donations help the pantry purchase items such as milk, eggs and butter, which can be difficult to obtain from food suppliers. "That proceeds really help us at holiday time buy the food necess